Alaska Airlines is being sued for the odd sum of $11,498 over an odd incident involving bathroom use, class privilege and an allegedly snippy flight attendant.
Yeah, you'll have to follow along on this one.
A boyfriend and girlfriend from Oregon named Michael Dobbs and Jessica DeWitt, was heading back to Portland after celebrating DeWitt's birthday in Las Vegas. They were flying first class on Alaska Airlines.
DeWitt had to use the restroom but was having trouble getting to the lavatory because too many passengers in the coach section of the plane were lining up to use the bathroom in first class. According to attorney Thomas Patton, DeWitt then asked a flight attendant if an announcement could be made reminding passengers to only use the restroom in their assigned cabin.
The flight attendant declined to make such an announcement.
Here's where things get fun.
When DeWitt finally made it to the bathroom, she said the flight attendant slammed the door behind her, allegedly injuring her shoulder. DeWitt asked for the flight attendant's name, but instead of getting a name she and Dobbs were handed a form that the flight attendant had filled out, claiming the couple had created an in-flight disturbance. When the flight landed in Portland, an announcement was made telling passengers to remain seated. At that point, Portland police came on-board and detained Dobbs and DeWitt for the alleged incident.
Patton, the attorney, told The Oregonian newspaper, "It was embarrassing for them."
The couple was detained for 30 minutes and released, but are suing Alaska Airlines for $11,498 -- $7,000 for pain, suffering and inconvenience; $1,498 for medical expenses after DeWitt said she suffered a rotator cuff injury to the shoulder and impingement syndrome that will require physical therapy; and $3,000 ($1,500 each) for humiliation from the incident.
Alaska Airlines declined to comment.
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